If you expect a recipe from me with a title like that, you might want to view, or review the wherefore and why of
Rule # 2 from,
Stone Ground Rules For The Kitchen, as men are simply not allowed. Therefore, in keeping with the perpendicularity of this blog, today I will share a few favorite dishes from restaurants we go to when it is Mr. G's turn to cook. There are a few things you'll want to keep in mind when considering where to go for dinner. Are you:
1- Celebrating?
2- Famished?
3- Irritable?
4- Wanting breakfast?
5- Bored?
That pretty much sums it up. Many of you might wonder why "Expense" is not included as a category above. I find cost slips into consideration only when you're not hungry, in which case you must be either celebrating; irritable; or bored. In the first two, money should never be an object or brought up, unless you wish to pay twice in price by having to go out the next night, to make up for how much you lacked in empathy the night before, or take the risk someone might stop cooking altogether. (Visit my other blog post,
OCB .) In the case of bored? What are you doing eating in the first place?! Find something else to do, even if means rippin' the acrylic off your latest nail job! A mani-pedi costs the same or less than dinner for two, and it won't add one ounce of fat to your bod. Hence, pricey restaurants will only be included in the former two categories. You'll know which restaurants they are.
With this in mind, here are a few of our favorite places should you stumble through our neck of the woods wanting to eat.
Celebrating! or Irritable (While money might be an object, your significant other knows better than to bring it up.)
*****
Larrupin Cafe - My absolute favorite, and Mr. G knows it, if for no other reason than to
getaway while not having to drive too far. Make a reservation and ask to eat downstairs. The atmosphere is tops. Know, before you order more, they have a house appetizer plate that is both great and gratis! (They sell their Larrupin Red and Mustard-Dill sauces in the local grocers in Arcata, e.g.,
Wildberries Marketplace.) I usually get the
Chicken Wrapped In Phyllo Dough with twiced baked potato, salad is included. Mr. G, who'll eat anything, will try something different on each occasion. We share a piece of whatever chocolate in way of cake is on the menu for dessert, but know too, this restaurant has a fabulous Chocolate Pecan Pie.
Reservations strongly recommended if you're eating at night. However, for lunch, not so much. Drop on in. What to order? First thing off the bat you need to know, unlike Larrupin Cafe--who serve only wine and beer-- they have a full bar. You will get loaded off of one, mind you, one Long Island Tea, only theirs is called, The Mad Tea Party! (Does wonders if you're needing to iron out the irritable, assuming s/he's not a mean drunk.) Their Beet Salad is yummy too. Check out the rest of their salads online, they all look good! For the main course, I order Filet Mignon, with Bacon Mashed Potatoes, finishing up with their Banana Spring Roll dessert, easily shared. (Bananas rolled up and deep fried in won ton wrappers topped with warm butterscotch sauce, and ice cream on the side!) For Mr. G? It's a waste of his time, and theirs, to bring a fancy plate that has food decorated on it. I look (or ask) for what happens to be the most in amount offered up for his main course. This man can put away some serious quantities of food. As to the drink, double Dewar's scotch whiskey, straight.
Reservations not really necessary or recommended unless it's HSU graduation, Mother's Day, or Christmastime. Note the three star rating. Only because I, not eating much in the way of bread or noodles, never cook Italian. Not rarely, never. That's the only reason. This is Mr. G's favorite restaurant. He'd give it five! The atmosphere and waiters/waitresses are fabulous. The original and long time owners of this restaurant have taught and continue to teach each and every one of their servers to keep a mindful eye on your wine glass so it never runs low. They do this in such a non-interruptive manner as to make you think your glass never empties--the fountain of youth, only different. By the time you wonder if you've had too much to drink, you have. If you like to drink, and want to indulge, this is the place to do it. They have a full bar as well. Just make sure to have a designated driver who doesn't drink, or splurge for a taxi. As to what to order? Who cares! I usually get their Four-Cheese Fettuccini Alfredo, and Mr. G, their Pescara. For dessert, Abruzzi chocolate cake. If you're not big on chocolate, order tiramisu.
Famished or Irritable For occasions you're starving or need to eat out. (I'm not sure why, but I feel it's unnecessary to rate the famished or breakfast categories.)
Hunan Village Chinese Restaurant 752 18th Street, Arcata (707) 822-0277
Yes, they have take out! Ready in ten minute! In fact eating in, or out, it's ready in ten minute. I love this restaurant for SO many reasons. The original owner, Adam, for one, who's now retired and sold the business. The best restaurant owner I've EVER known. He was classy and congenial, well dressed, and always came around to say "Hi" to everyone's table. He'd catch up on you; you him. He always made me feel like I was a long time friend, if not part of his family, or favorite customer. I suspect everyone who knew him said the same. He sold the restaurant to equally wonderful and well mannered people who are lovely to be around. Same menu, only newer, the quality of food is as good if not better!!! What do we order? Same thing every time. Sweet & Sour Prawns, Sze-Chuan Green Beans, Black-Pepper Beef, and of course, white rice. Best appetizer? Po Po (pronounced with a long "o") Plate. Soup? Won-Ton. Other memorable dishes:
Tofu In A Crock
Broccoli Beef
Hunan Chow Mien
As my friend Sara says, "It's All Good!"
Fiesta Grill & Cantina
If you're looking for their other restaurant, Fiesta Cafe, in Sunny Brae, it's closed, go here. Same marvelous owners and restaurant, menu, etc.--with a full bar! Order anything on this menu. It's all delicious, and you get plenty of food! You are quickly greeted by your server with chips, salsa, and water. Our favorite dish, and we split it because it's huge, is Steak Rancheros--jalapenos on the side! It's delicious. Comes with your choice of soup--Abondigas is mine, however, their Posole is delicious too! The main dish comes with a huge steak cooked with peppers and onions, along with thinly sliced oven cooked to perfection potatoes, beans, rice, and your choice of homemade wheat or corn tortillas. Order a house blended margarita while you wait for the food.
Hey Juan Burritos
This is probably the restaurant the reviewer in Fiesta Grill & Cantina was referring to (click the link and read the first review below). Nonetheless, Hey Juan's continues to have the best
hippie Mexican food in town since I moved here thirty-three years ago. Music is sometimes loud and unpredictable, door is always open (due to the fire code) AND the servers are always nice. The original owners sold the place, however the restaurant's mission remains the same: good, healthy--whole wheat, and spinach tortillas from which to choose when making your burrito not to mention brown rice--Mexican food, at a decent price, featuring an informal, and local atmosphere. What to order? If I'm starved, I get their Two Enchiladas Plate--chicken (with green chiles) with beans and rice. If you like Super Nachos, best place--scratch that--only place in town you should get them. I order vegetarian: beans, cheese, brown rice, guacamole, sour cream, olives--hold the jalapenos--with mild salsa. They have medium and hot, with a side of humor to advertise their hottest in paste: "Many come to Juan seeking
Death, and Juan obliges."
Breakfast Restaurants
Wildflower Cafe & Bakery
Back in the day, this was the vegetarian restaurant where many of my friends worked, or cooked, and was called
The Sprouted Seed. Different owners, same restaurant, only over the years a few recipes, like Shepherd's Pie, are no longer on the menu. Serving breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we just go for breakfast. Mr. G orders two pancakes, fresh squeezed orange juice (best in town) and a decaf coffee. I get Gregos Rancheros and their homemade Chai Tea. Like Hey Juan's, I love this restaurant for its longevity, and mission. Strictly vegetarian.
The Big Blue Cafe
Breakfast all day, they serve lunch too, until 3 or 4 PM--whenever they close. They make marvelous quiche variations on a potato crust. They also offer The Breakfast Sampler: eggs, potatoes with veggie or sausage gravy, beans, fruit, and toast or corn tortillas, which is super yummy, as is their Huevos Rancheros! Mr. G? Pancakes, of course. The other great thing about this restaurant is it carries my favorite in locally made tea, Planet Chai--latte please!
Bored
Princess Nails
Last time I checked, this place offers a mani-pedi for about thirty-five bucks, plus tip. Go ahead, rip off those acrylics, bite off your nails, chew off your toe polish, and head on down. If price is no object? Go out to dinner. Where?
Sushi Spot
...while not cost efficient, neither will it fill you up. Here's the best place in town. Why my vote? Not for the lack of other restaurants trying: atmosphere, presentation, and consistency of sushi--in reverse order. Especially if you order tempura sushi--yam and prawns. Added bonus, this place features both in one roll. We order (as Mr. G finds dinner at sushi restaurants to be pricey appetizers): Plain Sunomono or Miso soup (depending if we're hot or cold), Tempura Roll (includes both yam and prawns), and Caterpillar Roll (unagi--eel and avocado). Both are large rolls, perfect for two people. Top with one or two, large hot sakes. Sometimes, if we're really bored, we'll order an Edamame appetizer (those green bean-like things you break open and eat). For dessert? Mango Mochi Ice Cream. Double click on their menu, it enlarges.
Mmmmm...Now That's Good Eatin'
